Politics 3 min read By Arthur Ellington
Democrats seek to cut $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request below $1 trillion
The $1.5 trillion defense budget proposed by Pete Hegseth for 2027 is considered too high by Democrats, who won the midterm elections, while global military spending could reach $8 trillion.
The $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, presented by Pete Hegseth, is considered too high by the Democratic Party, which gained the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections. This represents an increase of more than 40% compared to current levels, and its fate now appears compromised.
Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, described the request as excessive. He calls for a military budget below $1 trillion and demands an investigation into the relationship between the Pentagon and contracting companies. The political shift in Congress is expected to allow Democrats to revise the defense bill and redirect certain appropriations, notably toward the State Department and contributions to the United Nations.
The contrast is striking with the global trend. G7 countries now devote 2.0% of their gross domestic product to defense, a level unseen in more than thirty years. At the current pace, this spending could reach 3.8% of GDP, or roughly $8 trillion in total. The United States alone accounts for nearly a third of global defense spending, and its military expenditure already exceeded $1 trillion during fiscal year 2026.
In Europe, the rearmament effort is particularly pronounced. European Union defense spending reached 418 billion euros, or about 461 billion dollars, in 2025, equivalent to 2.2% of GDP. For this year, Brussels projects 454 billion euros, or about 500 billion dollars, and 2.4% of GDP. NATO, for its part, sets a target of 3.5% of GDP devoted to defense in the strict sense. Member states of the Union have also sent nearly $83 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2022.
According to analysts, this rearmament is structural in nature and is not limited to a specific conflict. The war in Ukraine and doubts about Washington's future support are fueling Europe's growing buildup, while infrastructure and cybersecurity spending are rising alongside military budgets. Pete Hegseth, for his part, urges Pacific allies to finance their own defense. The United States is also reducing its coordination of training for Ukrainian forces from Germany, within NATO, a decision made in July.
These increases also raise economic concerns. Several analysts warn that this rearmament could widen public deficits, fuel inflation, and push up interest rates. In this context, the budget battle now beginning in Washington will determine whether the American trajectory aligns with the global trend or clearly departs from it.
Source: fortune.com
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